The San Jose Sharks have revealed defenseman Brent Burns as the recipient of the Sharks Fan Favorite Award for this season, recognizing his outstanding performance and connection with fans. Burns secured this accolade after an impressive campaign that saw him lead the team in multiple key statistical categories, affirming his role as a vital presence on the ice.
Exceptional Season Highlights and Record-Breaking Achievements
This season, Burns tallied 67 points, including 12 goals and 55 assists, while firing 332 shots on goal across 82 games. He not only led the Sharks in assists, shots, and points, but also ranked among the top three NHL defensemen in points, assists, shots, and takeaways, with 75 takeaways recorded. Remarkably, Burns surpassed his own franchise record for assists by a defenseman in a single season, previously established in 2015-16.
Joining the ranks of Hockey Hall of Famers Bobby Orr and Ray Bourque, Burns is one of the few defensemen in league history to achieve three consecutive seasons recording at least 60 points and over 320 shots on net. His sustained excellence earned him a spot in his fourth NHL All-Star game this year, as well as recognition as the NHL’s Norris Trophy winner last season and a close third in voting the year before.
Recognition On and Off the Ice
Beyond his on-ice contributions, Burns was honored as the Sharks Foundation’s Player of the Month for December, during which he collected 14 points in 13 games, leading all NHL defensemen. His dedication to the community earned him the NHL Foundation Player of the Year Award after the 2014-15 season and made him a finalist for ESPN’s Sports Humanitarian of the Year Award in 2016, reflecting his ongoing charitable efforts.
Originally drafted 20th overall by the Minnesota Wild in 2003, the six-foot-five, 230-pound defender from Barrie, Ontario, was acquired by San Jose in June 2011. His leadership and skill continue to strengthen the Sharks’ roster and inspire their passionate fan base.
Fan Engagement and Grand Prize Drawing
Fans who voted for the Sharks Fan Favorite Award were entered into a random drawing, where one lucky winner was awarded two tickets to Sharks Fan Appreciation Night. This grand prize also included the unique opportunity to meet their favorite player on the ice after the game and receive the player’s jersey as a keepsake.
